NEWSFLASH: Brighton New Year Retreat Announcement!

It´s official! We´re going ahead with the Brighton New Year Retreat! Thank you so much for your feedback and enthusiasm!

Looking forward so much to sharing this with you! Read on for details….

THE INTENTION

Dust off the residue from 2015 and welcome in 2016 with a yoga immersion, creativity, amazing food, inspiration and adventures in the wonderful city of Brighton!

Image via Paul Grand

A new year opportunity with time for yourself, fresh experiences, new friends and a deepening of your practice. Continuing our focus on high food and accommodation standards and lots of yoga exploration, we also take advantage of the seasonal shift and embrace the inward-looking opportunities of winter.

There´s more activities, more ritual, and as ever, much amazing food and Ketil and I will be sharing some of our fave recipes, art and craft workshops. As well as the activity and inspiration, there´s still very much a focus on restoring through yoga and movement, workshops and also time with our fave massage therapist who´s back to provide her magical treatments which can be booked if you fancy it.

YOURSETTING

Brighton: city by the sea, alternative, creative, “quirky”, charming, cosy, a quintessentially English seaside town, eclectic, open-minded and fun!

Geographically, Brighton is a sunny town (the sunniest in the UK!), located on the south coast, and the vast seaside panorama certainly adds to the spacious feeling. Colourful, eclectic and creative, it contains more than 365 restaurants, an attitude of celebrating individuality, many independent boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, a place that´s easy to be a vegan or vegetarian (or not!), shopping that is unique and fabulous and did i mention the vintage?

Pubs, bars, live music, festivals, food markets, massage, arthouse cinemas, supper clubs, car boot sales, spas, pug meetup groups, beautiful architecture, beach life, history, minutes from the south downs nature, beautiful parks, museums, galleries, paddleboarding, cosmopolitan atmosphere and cycle rides along the seafront, the list is really endless. Brighton has something for everyone all year round. It can provide the wild party nights (and days) and leave you breathless if you have the energy, but it can also be a quiet and calm resort, full of pampering, meandering cobbled streets and alleyways finding solitary space and peace.

YOUR HOSTS

Dionne and Ketil have been collaborating on yoga retreats, workshops and events in the UK and Norway for 5 years. They are driven to create and share unique, interesting experiences and environments for people that are nourishing inside out.

Ketil

“The first three Brighton Retreats have been a lot of fun and I always enjoy sharing favourite eateries, cafés, recipes and funfacts about the city’s history with visitors. I’ve lived and worked on and off in Brighton since 2010, and love the creative atmosphere of the city, the sunny weather (sorry Bergen), and the relaxing power of the beach and ocean.” – Ketil

“Many know that Brighton is my spiritual home. I´ve lived here on and off for 10 years. It´s where my yoga journey stepped up, and i took my first teacher training. It´s where i felt life began. The city is vibrant and open, accepting and easy-going. Anything goes, and this sense of freedom and magic is certainly one of the many reasons i will always love it.

Ketil and I lived in Brighton before we moved to Bergen in 2010 and we moved back in January 2014. We want to share this special place and create a haven amidst all of this inspiration. To get away from it all, yet connect with others, have many adventures, get to know this city at your own pace (tailor-make your stay according to your hearts desire) and eat some of the finest food of your life (no understatement!). All of this, in combination with your yoga practice and activities to stimulate your creativity and incorporate the inspiration and experience on and off the mat.

We will be providing a guided tour of the city in bite-sized chunks, all of our “must-see” recommendations, walks, maps, secrets, referrals and top tips to ensure your stay is magical.” – Dionne

YOUR YOGA

Upside down for a bit!

There will be a welcome yoga class on Friday afternoon to ground and get acquainted with your surroundings, followed by dinner that evening. Saturday and Sunday morning will each have a 3-hour yoga and creativity workshop in the morning, then you will be free to explore and do as you fancy for the rest of the day. On Monday morning, we will have a “farewell” session to close the retreat and set you up for your journey home, after which, we will head out to brunch.

The “style” of the sessions will offer a balance of dynamic and restorative yoga open to all levels, beginner or experienced, and individual attention to focus on deepening your practice. There will also be focus on meditation techniques, ritual, breathwork, and a range of styles of yoga including flow, yin, somatic and creative movement. Sessions, as with activities, are not obligatory, so as with any practice, take it as you feel.

*Potions and Lotions – make your own body butters and scrubs
*Glow In The Dark Knitting with Amy Brown
*Energy ball making – nutritious and healthy food workshop
*Ice Skating at the Royal Pavillion (booked in advance)
*Massages (booked in advance)
*Visionboarding

Activities and workshops are free of charge bar Ice Skating at the Royal Pavilion and massages with our amazing therapist Liz, who travels to the venue so you can receive your treatment in the privacy of the space.

YOUR FOOD

Breakfast and lunches, unlimited tea, coffee, drinks and snacks are all included in the stay. All meals will be healthy, nutritious and hearty (with options for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans).

Breakfast will be served at the loft, a smörgåsbord including muesli, fresh bread, fresh croissants, cheese selection, jam, yoghurt, juice, coffee, teas, fruit, eggs, seeds and nuts. Organic and locally sourced where possible.

For lunch, Ketil and Dionne will be preparing a fresh and hearty vegetarian buffet feast for two days, using the highest quality ingredients – and you´re welcome to receive tips and recipes if you´re interested. There will also be a lunch outing at one of our favourite Brighton eateries where you can choose your meal and a non-alcoholic drink.

Dinner with the group is optional, however we have cherry picked three of the finest restaurants which are very reasonably priced, and will book seats, the details will be in your arrival pack. If you would prefer to make your own dinner plans that´s no problem.

YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Located in the “heart and soul” of Brighton, the luxurious, recently renovated, spacious loft conversion of Vine Street Studios is our base. Exquisite craftsmanship in every detail and nestled in the heart of the North Laine. We have a quiet and calm yet central location including our own yoga space. The best of both worlds, our tranquil haven in the vibrant and eclectic community.

Bedrooms will be shared between 2 people and there are 3 bathrooms plus a bath in the space. Your towels and bedding are included so you have extra room in your suitcase!

The space is fully heated (including floor) and very cosy.

WHAT THEY SAID

YOUR TRANSPORT

PLANES
To those of you outside of England, we recommend you fly to Gatwick as it is a short 20 minute hop to the city by train. Norwegian fly direct from Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger.

If you´re coming from Bergen, we recommend the following Norwegian flight:

Bergen – London Gatwick
Friday 8 January
09:15
DY1314

London Gatwick – Bergen
Monday 11 January
20:45
DY1319

TRAINS
If you´re arriving from the near continent, the Eurostar is also an option. Once arriving at St Pancreas, Kings Cross station is a short walk from which you can catch a train direct to Brighton.

THE DETAILS

The retreat runs from Friday 8 January – Monday 11 January 2016.
Our retreat will kick off on Friday afternoon. We check out of the studios at 10:00 on Monday, and will wrap up after our leisurely brunch around midday.

/// EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE: 4.500kr – if payment is made in full before 11 November 2015

BOOKING

1.600kr will secure your spot, then send an email to dionneyoga (at) gmail.com with your reference and it will guarantee an amazing new year adventure!please note that your deposit is non-refundable*The remainder of the payment of 3.200kr is due Tuesday 1 December 2015.
*Pre-pay bank account: Dionne Elizabeth, 1203 91 73059
*Please mark your payment with your name as a reference.
*Places are limited to 10 and these will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to email me directly:dionneyoga (at) gmail.com

Here´s links to photos, videos and feedback from the first, second and third Brighton retreats.